Crewe Alexandra will continue to reintroduce Michael Raynes to full training after the defender picked up a niggling knee injury towards the end of last season.

Raynes didn’t feature in the last four games of the campaign, but he has been in over the summer to work on regaining his fitness. The Manchester-born defender will play a part in the pre-season games as he aims to regain his place in the starting XI.

Crewe Alexandra boss David Artell told the club’s official website: “Michael picked up a knee injury towards the end of the season and we have been cautious with him. We have reintroduced him back into it and we will manage it accordingly.

“He has been on the bike. We have had him outside to watch the sessions while he does the work.

The boss added: “We have devised a programme for him because of the hard pitches and we will manage him properly. We don’t want to overload him. It is just a wear and tear thing and Michael knows his body better than anyone.”